The Rockies and all-star third baseman Nolan Arenado failed to agree to a one-year deal for the 2019 season on Friday, meaning that salary arbitration next month remains a possibility.

Arenado was seeking $30 million but the Rockies countered with a $24 million offer. A number of national baseball writers, including ESPN’s Jeff Passan, reported that the two sides will likely reach an agreement and won’t need an arbitration hearing. Speculation is that Arenado will ultimately land a deal around $27 million. He is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2019 season.

When asked if he thinks he’ll avoid arbitration, Arenado said: “This is a business, we’ll have to see what happens.”

Colorado has had just four arbitration hearings in its history: Dennys Reyes in 2002, Sun-Woo Kim (2006), Brian Fuentes (2008) and Wilin Rosario (2015).

Arenado, 27, has won a Gold Glove in each of his first six seasons in the majors and is fresh off a season in which he batted .297 and led the National League with 38 home runs and was second with 110 RBIs and a .935 OPS. He finished third in the NL MVP voting behind Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich and runner-up Javier Baez of the Cubs.

Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, a first-time all-star, signed a $5 million deal in his first year of arbitration. It’s a hefty raise for Story, who made $555,000 last season. The 26-year-old Story hit .291 with 37 home runs, 108 RBIs and 27 stolen bases last season.

The Rockies entered the offseason with eight players up for arbitration.